A reconstruction of Italian regulations on amusement machines is set to have disastrous consequences for the sector.
The situation is so concerning that Euromat, the European federation of coin machine trade associations, is writing to the European Union to point out the proposals are unworkable. A seminar to discuss the crisis is set for the first day of the EAG Online virtual show on April 20.
Outdated regulations covering Italian amusement machines have been long overdue for revision, we are informed by Alessio Crisantemi, editor of Italian publication GiocoNews, who points out that under the current legislation there is no mention of ticket redemption games, for example.
A study into the situation had been carried out by an academic team working on behalf of the Italian trade associations, notably highlighting ticket redemption, in an attempt to debunk the myth that they were effectively games of chance.
That study is now near completion and will be discussed at the upcoming seminar. Meantime, the Italian regions were continuing to control an industry with outdated and confusing regulations.
Now a draft decree has been presented to the European Commission by Italy, with new technical rules for devices without cash prizes. It is this document that so concerns the industry.
“The risks are now greater than the opportunities,” Crisantemi told InterGame. “Among other things the operators now want to raise with the authorities their concerns and point out to other European countries the danger to their own markets by the Italian proposals.
“This, then, is not just an Italian issue, but an international one.”
There is a proposal in the decree that every type of machine entering the Italian market should be homologated, which is understandably unworkable simply from the cost point of view.
There are a wide range of other issues with the proposals, that will be discussed in detail at the seminar, set for 11.30am on Tuesday, April 20.
